97216: Is hunting in the Sacred months haraam?

The sacred months are Rajab, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and
Muharram. These are what are referred to in the verse (interpretation of the
meaning):

“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months
(in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the
heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the
11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right
religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”

[al-Tawbah 9:36]

There is nothing wrong with hunting in these months; rather
the prohibition on hunting is connected to two things:

1 – Ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in a
state of Ihraam [for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage)], and whosoever of you
kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Ka‘bah,
of an eatable animal (i.e. sheep, goat, cow) equivalent to the one he
killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should
feed Masaakeen (poor persons), or its equivalent in Sawm (fasting), that he
may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allaah has forgiven what
is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allaah will take retribution from
him. And Allaah is All‑Mighty, All-Able of Retribution”

[al-Maa’idah 5:95]

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

This is Allaah’s prohibition on killing game when in the
state of ihraam, and a prohibition on being involved in any activities of
this nature. End quote.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer (2/99).

2 – Hunting within the limits of the Sanctuary, which means
Makkah and Madeenah, because of the ahaadeeth that were narrated concerning
that.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up on the day of the
Conquest and said:

“Allaah sanctified Makkah the day He created the heavens and
the earth, so it is sacred by the sanctity decreed by Allaah until the Day
of Resurrection. It was not permitted for anyone before me to fight therein
and will never be permitted to anyone after me, and it was only permitted to
me for part of a day. Its game is not to be disturbed and its thorns are not
to be cut.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1284) and Muslim (1353).

The relevant point here is the words of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Its game is not to be
disturbed.” This hadeeth clearly states that it is haraam to disturb the
game of Makkah, so it is more appropriate that hunting itself is forbidden.

As for Madeenah, it is proven in al-Saheeh that Abu
Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: If I saw gazelles
grazing in Madeenah I would not disturb them. The Messenger of Allaah (S)
said: “The area between its two lava fields is a sanctuary.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1774) and Muslim (1372).

The lava fields are the harrahs or areas of black stone, and
Madeenah is between two lava fields, east and west.

As for the sacred months, there is no connection between them
and the prohibition on hunting.